ADV Films Announces Acquisition of Home Video Rights to Hit Tribune Entertainment Television Series 'BeastMaster'
Responding to Strong Demand, ADV Will Begin DVD Release of All Three Seasons

Of Acclaimed Fantasy/Action Series in 2003

HOUSTON, March 7 /PRNewswire/ -- ADV Films today announced the acquisition
of the home-video rights to the acclaimed fantasy/action series "BeastMaster,"
starring Daniel Goddard as Dar the BeastMaster, who has both the soul and
emotions of a man, and the instincts of an animal. He is the last of his
tribe, and has been granted the ability to communicate with animals -- making
him a crucial defender of the forests and the creatures within them.
"'BeastMaster' is an excellent acquisition for us," said ADV Films
President, CEO and Founder John Ledford. "Our success with the Tribune
Entertainment title 'Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda' has made it clear that,
given ADV's strength in marketing genre programming, coupled with our sales
relationships with major retailers, we are able to distribute quality live-
action titles like 'BeastMaster' as successfully as we distribute the finest
in Japanese animation."
Boasting a talented cast, beautiful settings (the series is filmed in
Queensland, Australia), thrilling action, wizardry and a strong backbone of
ecologically positive messaging (reminiscent of that in J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord
of the Rings" trilogy), "BeastMaster" has created a community of passionate
fans who have for years been craving a home-video release of the title. The
official website for the series is found at http://www.beastmaster.com .
ADV is keeping quiet about specific release dates for the title, but
Ledford assured fans that they can expect to see the first volumes of
"BeastMaster" in 2003. ADV's releases will also include extensive extras,
including such exclusive content as commentary tracks from stars and staff,
outtakes, bloopers and much more.
About Tribune Entertainment:
Tribune Entertainment Company, a subsidiary of Tribune Broadcasting
Company, is involved in the production and distribution of an extensive slate
of programming. In Fall 2002, the company launched the new weekly action hour
"Adventure Inc." Other projects include the weekly action adventure hours
"Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda," starring Kevin Sorbo; "Mutant X;"
"BeastMaster;" the weekday game show strip "Family Feud;" the weekly "Soul
Train" series; the off net sitcom "City Guys;" and numerous telefilms and
television specials. For more information on Tribune Entertainment, please
visit the company's web site at http://www.tribtv.com .
About ADV Films:
In 1992, ADV Films began to forge the international market for Japanese
animation ("anime") by combining unique titles, outstanding production values
and efficient large-scale distribution. Today, ADV Films is the #1 producer-
distributor of Japanese animation to the North American market, with the
firm's holdings including such premier titles as, "Noir," "Sailor Moon,"
"Samurai X," "Hello Kitty's Paradise," "RahXephon," "Spriggan," "Robotech,"
"Full Metal Panic" and "Neon Genesis Evangelion." In addition, ADV Films'
product line has expanded to include other forms of genre programming,
including live-action science fiction programs "Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda,"
"Mutant X" and The Jim Henson Company's "Farscape," and classic science
fiction such as the updated "Gamera" trilogy. ADV Films' parent company, A.D.
Vision, Inc., also publishes Newtype USA, the premier anime and manga monthly
in the English-speaking world, and operates The Anime Network(TM),
broadcasting anime and anime-related programming via digital cable, 24 hours a
day. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, USA, with additional offices in the EU
and Japan, and distribution on four continents, ADV is fast becoming an
international entertainment powerhouse. For more information, visit ADV Films
on the web at http://www.advfilms.com .